Tamar of Kartli facts for kids

Tamar (Georgian: თამარი; born 1696 – died April 12, 1746) was a Georgian princess. She belonged to the Bagrationi dynasty, a famous royal family. Tamar was the daughter of King Vakhtang VI of Kartli. She became the second wife of King Teimuraz II of Kakheti. When she married Teimuraz, she became the queen consort of Kakheti (from 1729 to 1736, and again from 1738 to 1744). Later, she ruled the Kingdom of Kartli as queen regnant by herself. She was known as Tamar II, ruling from 1744 until her death in 1746.

Tamar's Early Life and Marriage

Tamar was born in 1696. Her parents were Prince Vakhtang of Kartli and his wife, Rusudan. Her father, Vakhtang, ruled Kartli at different times. However, he was forced to leave his country in 1724 because of an invasion by the Ottoman Empire. He went to live in the Russian Empire.

When Tamar was 16, on February 2, 1712, she married Prince Teimuraz of Kakheti. This was his second marriage. Teimuraz was the younger brother of King David II. Their wedding was a big celebration. It took place first in Tbilisi, which was Vakhtang's capital city. Then, they celebrated again in Manavi, a town in Kakheti.

Challenges and Leadership

Tamar and Teimuraz's life together was full of challenges. There were civil wars, attacks from groups like the Lezgians, and invasions. Powerful empires like the Ottoman Empire and Persia often attacked their land. Teimuraz became king of Kakheti twice. First, from 1729 to 1736. Then, again from 1738 to 1744. In 1744, he gave the throne of Kakheti to his son, Heraclius II. Teimuraz then became king of Kartli, taking over the throne that belonged to Tamar's family.

During these difficult years, Tamar herself became very involved in politics and even war. From 1736 to 1738, Teimuraz was away. He was at the headquarters of his ruler, Nader Shah of Iran, in Kandahar. During this time, Tamar helped balance the power of Teimuraz's Muslim brother, Ali Mirza. Ali Mirza was trying to start a rebellion against Iran. Tamar used her influence and the help of Prince Givi Cholokashvili to stop his plans. This saved her husband and son from Nader Shah's anger. Eventually, Ali Mirza was forced to leave Kakheti in 1738.

Queen Tamar's Reign

In 1741, Nader Shah asked Teimuraz to come to his camp in Derbend. Tamar went with her husband, as the Shah requested. This showed their loyalty. Teimuraz managed to get the Shah's support for his plans to rule both Kartli and Kakheti. However, this also led to a rebellion led by Prince Givi Amilakhvari.

The fighting lasted for three years. Finally, Teimuraz defeated the rebels. In 1745, Tamar herself accepted Amilakhvari's surrender in Surami. From 1744 until her death in 1746, Tamar ruled Kartli alongside her husband. At the same time, their son, Heraclius, began his long rule in Kakheti. Tamar was buried at the Living Pillar cathedral in Mtskheta. After she passed away, Teimuraz married his third wife, Ana-Khanum Baratashvili.

Tamar's Children

Tamar and Teimuraz had one son and three daughters:

• Heraclius II (born November 7, 1720 – died January 11, 1798). He became the king of Kakheti, and later, of both Kartli and Kakheti.
• Princess Ketevan (Khoreshan). She married Adil Shah of Iran (1719–1749) in 1737 in Mashhad.
• Princess Elene (active from 1743–1784). She married Prince Zaza Tsitsishvili around 1743.
• Princess Ana (born 1720 – died December 4, 1788). She married Prince Dimitri Orbeliani (died 1776) in 1744. Later, she married Prince Ioane Orbeliani (around 1702 – 1781).